21 things to do in and around Victoria this Thanksgiving long weekend – October 9th to 12th

Who’s ready for the long weekend?

Fall is upon us, and it’s time to be thankful.

This Thanksgiving weekend, there’s plenty to do for the whole family to make sure you make the most of the long weekend.

With concerts, film screenings, markets and more going on across the city, make sure to get up to something fun!

Of course, it’s not Thanksgiving weekend without a Thanksgiving feast.

If you’re looking for a place to bring the family to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without the hassle of cooking or cleanup, click here for a list of restaurants and pubs offering takeaway or dine-in Thanksgiving meals.

If you’re hoping to get out on the town this weekend, here are 21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – October 9th to 12th:

ALL WEEKEND

Victoria International Jewish Film Festival

The Victoria International Jewish Film Festival (VIJFF) returns for its 12th year, running October 10th to 15th at the Vic Theatre.

Presented by the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria, VIJFF is a festival of Jewish (and Jewish-adjacent) cinematic culture—bringing captivating films from around the world to Victoria audiences each fall.

Expect a mix of evening and matinee film events over the six days of the festival, many paired with live music, special guests and nosh.

In past years the festival has featured post-film conversations, live musical performances before screenings and community gatherings between films.

This weekend’s screenings include Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls: Another Side of Woody Guthrie on Saturday and Dead Language on Sunday.

All VIJFF film events are free of charge.

• Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
• When: 
  • Saturday, October 10th – 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 11th – 3:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Harvest Market at Bilston Creek Farm

Celebrate the changing seasons with Bilston Creek Farm as they host a weekend of autumn festivities in the apple orchard!

There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh apple cider, the sound of live music drifting across the lawn and the crisp air that comes with the Thanksgiving weekend.

Head down to the Harvest Market—a cozy, festive gathering for the whole family.

Apples take center stage as they begin the apple harvest during the month of October.

Watch fresh apples get pressed right before your eyes and sample the juice straight from the press.

Sip on hot apple cider, or try a tasty fall treat!

Admission is $5, or free for youth aged 16 and under. Purchase tickets here or upon admission.

• Where: Bilston Creek Farm, 4185 Metchosin Road

• When: Friday, October 9th to Monday, October 12th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FRIDAY

Practical Magic Night Market 2 at White Eagle Polish Hall

Dawn + Eve Collective are excited to announce another year of the Practical Magic Night Market!

This year the market will feature a new venue at the White Eagle Polish Hall.

Activate your phone tree, call the coven and gather with them to celebrate the cult classic film Practical Magic, Samhain and the 90s with an evening of tarot, palm and astrology readings, beverages, vendors and vibes!

There is a sliding scale admission fee starting at $6 with partial proceeds going to the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society. Admission can be paid at the door.

• Where: White Eagle Polish Hall, 90 Dock Street
• When: Friday, October 9th – 6 p.m. to around  10 p.m.

The Zone – Band of the Month Showcase at Studio 919

The Zone’s Bands of the Month from 2026 will perform back-to-back at this free showcase.

Performing live at the show will be TK The Artist (May’s winner), Dead Summer (June’s winner), Miss the Heart (July’s winner) and special guests to be announced!

There is no cover, although this is a 19+ event.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Friday, October 9th – 6 p.m.

The Zolas at Capital Ballroom

The Zolas are synonymous with Canadian west coast indie rock.

Hailing from Vancouver, they took over radio waves with their 2016 album Swooner, and have been legends in the west coast music scene ever since.

They’re marking a decade since that supremely popular album release with a tour that hits Victoria’s Capital Ballroom on October 9th.

For fans of indie rock, this is a can’t-miss show.

Tickets are $32.50 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, October 9th – 8 p.m.

By Divine Right, Status/Non-Status and Global Fake at Lucky Bar

Toronto’s indie rock veterans By Divine Right hit the stage at Lucky Bar for what’s going to be a night to remember.

They’re co-headlining with Status/Non-Status, an alternative band from Ontario headed by Anishnaabe lead singer Adam Sturgeon.

Supporting them at this show will be island locals Global Fake.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street
• When: Friday, October 9th – 7:30 p.m.

God is a Scottish Drag Queen at McPherson Playhouse

The beloved deity in a floral power suit returns with a twist!

God descends from the heavens (or perhaps a haunted attic?) to hilariously roast everything from pumpkin spice lattes to demonic possession in a laugh-out-loud night of comedy.

Expect divine commentary on the bizarre traditions of Halloween, terrifying costume choices and the true horror of candy corn.

A seasonal special packed with sass, satire and supernatural wit—because nothing is scarier than eternal damnation…except maybe Spirit Halloween.

Tickets start at $54 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Friday, October 9th – 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Pumpkin Patch by Together Market at Da Vinci Centre

Together Market is excited to create a little fall experience for you!

In collaboration with Paulz Farm, there will be a cozy Pumpkin Patch alongside local vendors, delicious food, DJs drinks and more!

Shop, eat, take some cute photos and enjoy a day full of autumn vibes!

Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Queer Community Soup Dinner at Oaklands Community Centre

Head down to Oaklands Community Centre for a delicious and nutritious soup dinner with the queer and trans communities!

The dinner is pay-what-you-can and all funds raised support this program into the future.

The menu will feature chicken noodle soup, curry, squash, ginger and apple soup and a baked potato soup.

More information on the event can be found here.

• Where: Oaklands Community Centre, 2827 Belmont Avenue

• When: Saturday, October 10th – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Talel McBriar and Sofia Miller at Cinderbloc Studios

Gotta give some love to the home team.

Talel McBriar is an independent singer-songwriter raised in Nelson, BC and currently living in Victoria.

Celebrate the release of the indie folk album Light the Hallway at one of Victoria’s more intimate venues, Cinderbloc Studios.

Victoria-based Sofia Miller will be opening the night followed by Talel and her band performing songs off the record.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Cinderbloc Studios, 602-D Esquimalt Road
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 7 p.m.

Dune Rats and Peacebreach at Studio 919

Dune Rats are a three-piece rock band from Brisbane, Australia.

They’ve been performing for more than a decade, with their newest album Old Mates, featuring tracks from their first three albums, having been released earlier this year.

The Aussies are the kings of rock music, and are always welcome in Victoria.

They’ll be joined on tour by Peacebreach, a punk band from Winnipeg.

Tickets for the show are $25 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 6:30 p.m.

World Migratory Bird Day: Merlin + eBird Workshop & Guided Bird Walk at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

Join nature educator and stewardship assistant Ruby for an introduction to eBird and Merlin, followed by a guided walk around Swan Lake to see some of the birds that are found at the Sanctuary!

Learn about two amazing free digital birding resources (Merlin and eBird) during an indoor presentation with Ruby.

Follow step-by-step instructions provided to get set up on your own mobile device, and learn how these tools can contribute valuable information through citizen science users.

Ruby will help you create an eBird checklist that can be used to record birds seen on our leisurely 1-hour group walk around Swan Lake.

Together you will explore and identify species of birds that call Swan Lake home, or make this stop along the Pacific flyway. T

Bring your own binoculars if you have them!

Registration is $15 and can be completed here.

• Where: Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Road
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Moss Street Market

Moss Street Market is almost done for the season!

This year, Moss Street Market is celebrating its 35th season of offering local and organic farm-fresh produce, local foods, handmade crafts, artisanal clothing, inspiring services and community education.

The market takes place May through October, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Sir James Douglas school grounds—rain or shine.

Enjoy the sunshine and grab some local produce and crafts.

The market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Sir James Douglas school grounds, surrounding boulevards and Porter Park
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Culture Clash: Afro-Caribbean Riddim at Studio 919

Different roots, same riddim.

A night where Afrobeats, Dancehall, Amapiano and Caribbean riddims collide in one high-energy cultural experience.

From Lagos to Kingston to Pretoria, Culture Clash celebrates the sounds, movements and rhythms that continue to shape dancefloors across the diaspora.

Expect heavy basslines, infectious grooves, log drums, dancehall energy and nonstop vibes all night long.

Tickets start at $23 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 10 p.m.

Balkan Dance Party with Bučan Bučan at The Coda

Born on the stages, street corners and festival fields of Victoria, Bučan Bučan has entertained audiences everywhere from theatre halls to breakfast diners.

They blend traditional Eastern European Balkan brass songs with a high-energy dance party that’s become a beloved, not-to-be-missed phenomenon.

Bučan Bučan will serenade you with beautiful vocal harmonies and make you sweat with driving dance hall beats.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Coda, 751 View Street
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

October Orchard market at Junction Orchard & Cidery

It’s time for Junction’s October market!

Browse market booths from some of your favourite vendors, farmers and makers while enjoying cider and bites from Bicycle Pizza and local food vendors.

Shop with Junction’s resident small businesses on Orchard Lane.

Each market brings something new.

Mark your calendar and experience the best of the community!

Entry is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Junction Orchard & Cidery, 273 Prospect Lake Road
• When: Sunday, October 11th – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Harvest Festival: Farmers of Early Victoria at Ross Bay Cemetery

Victoria’s story is not just about the gold rush and maritime tales — it also has a rich agricultural heritage.

Some early farmers were brought out by the Hudson’s Bay Company; some stayed after the gold rush.

The Old Cemetery Society’s team brings to life the stories of the farmers and their families who were key in the development of early Victoria.

Tickets are $5 for non-members or $2 for members and can be purchased upon arrival.

• Where: Ross Bay Cemetery, 1495 Fairfield Road
• When: Sunday, October 11th – 2 p.m.

Pacific FC versus Atletico Ottawa

Catch Pacific FC take on Atletico Ottawa!

They’re back in Victoria this week, with this next match taking place at Royal Athletic Park.

The home team tied the strong Ottawa squad in their last match with a score of nil-nil.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
• When: Sunday, October 11th – 4 p.m.

Forming, Ghost Pipe and PINDN at Brass Monkey Taproom

Catch a show at Brass Monkey!

Enjoy a night of exploratory music, ranging from alternative grunge, psyche, healing hip-hop and post-industrial electronic punk.

The show will feature Forming, an electronic-based duo from Toronto, as well as Vancouver Island locals Ghost Pipe and PINDN.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Brass Monkey Taproom, 350b Bay Street
• When: Sunday, October 11th – 8 p.m.

Fright Fest: The Fly at the Vic Theatre

It’s scary season, catch a frightful movie at The Vic!

Jeff Goldblum meets a fly, and things go downhill from there.

Canadian David Cronenberg’s wonderfully squirm-inducing sci-fi horror classic follows a brilliant scientist whose teleportation experiment produces one very nasty complication.

Geena Davis co-stars in this unforgettable tale of love, science and becoming increasingly bug-like.

Tickets are $14.29 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
• When: Sunday, October 11th – 7:30 p.m.

 MONDAY

Jawbreaker film screening at Little Fernwood

Who’s up for a film on Thanksgiving?

This Monday, catch the official screening of Jawbreaker, the film by Tomas Haglund and Oscar Sjodin.

Snacks will be provided by gigtoria, with merch by pogo pope

This is an all-ages event with $10 admission. Tickets can be purchased here. 

• Where: Paul Philips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road

• When: Monday, October 12th – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.